Nike Kicks Period Taboos To The Curb In Redesigned English Women’s Football Kit
Nike has recently redesigned the home and away jerseys for the English women’s football team, the Lionesses, after concerns were raised regarding the difficulties female athletes face when menstruating.
The previous white kits had left some players feeling pressured to take oral contraceptives to avoid bleeding through during games. However, due to the risks involved, not everyone is keen on using medication to prevent getting their periods.
To address these concerns, Nike has introduced the clothes in two shades of blue: Gym Blue for the home kit and Coast Blue for away games. In addition, the new outfits also feature Nike’s Leak Protection: Period technology, which includes a layer of material within the shorts that can absorb and retain any bleed-through, providing wearers with a worry-free experience.
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The team’s new white top draws inspiration from the “chalky white brick exterior” of the original Wembley Stadium and complements the shorts to complete the new kit.
Per The Guardian, this redesign is part of a larger trend in women’s sports, with individual players pushing for more comfortable clothing options. For example, other women’s football teams, including Manchester City, West Brom, and Orlando Pride, have ditched the white shorts in favor of colored options. The move is rippling through the entire sports world as athletes in tennis are doing the same. For example, female contestants can now deviate from Wimbledon’s all-white dress code by including dark shorts under their skirts and dresses.
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With the Women’s World Cup this summer, Nike is also introducing the anti-leakage technology to the uniforms of 13 different teams.
Overall, this redesign represents a step forward for women’s sports, offering more inclusive and comfortable clothing options for the beautiful game.
[via Dezeen and The Guardian, cover image via The Football Association]
